Maranta Care Guide

MARGOT THE MARANTA

Also known as the red-veined prayer plant. The red Maranta is native to the West Indies.

LIGHTING 

The red Maranta likes medium to bright light but is known for being able to tolerate less natural light. It’s good to keep Margot away from any bright light as if placed near a window her variegation will burn and fade. Lighting-wise the red Maranta pairs perfectly with Hamish the boston fern and Castro the moreton bay chestnut.

WATERING 

The red Maranta likes regular watering but doesn’t like her soil to become excessively wet. Water her whenever the first few inches of soil is dry which usually is twice a week in the summer and less frequently in the winter. Margot can be sensitive to the chemicals found in tap water and would prefer being watered with filtered or rain water.

HUMIDITY 

Native to a tropical climate The red Maranta likes high levels of humidity. Placing her next to a humidifier or regular misting will help to keep her foliage fresh. Read about how you can increase humidity here.

TEMPERATURE 

Margot likes temperatures of between 18-24°C. Keep the indoor temperatures above 18°C and Margot will be happy.

FERTILISER 

Use a diluted fertiliser once a month in the spring and summer months. Do not fertilise in the winter time.

REPOTTING 

The red Maranta is fast growing and can be repotted once every 12-18 months or whenever her roots start to grow out of the drainage holes of her nursery pot. 

 

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR RED MARANTA

Curling leaves - The curling leaves could be a sign of two things: 

  1. Margot is a little thirsty, if the first few inches of soil is dry then give her a thorough drink. 
  2. She is suffering from cold stress. Check to see if she is near any open windows or drafts that could be causing her discomfort. 

Drooping leaves - The red Maranta prefers moist soil. If her soil dries out too much then her leaves will start to droop. Check her soil and only water if the first few inches of soil is dry. It’s worth noting that Maranta's leaves move with the light. The leaves appear droopy during the day and will move upwards in the evening. 

Yellow leaves - Yellow leaves often indicate that the red Maranta has been overwatered however the occasional lower yellow leaf is normal especially in winter.

Brown edges: The brown edges could be caused by a variety of things. 

  1. Margot has reacted badly to the harsh chemicals found in tap water. Use filtered or rainwater to avoid any more brown edges.
  2. Lack of humidity levels. Be sure that Margot is in a humid room near a humidifier or on top of a pebble tray. 
  3. Occasionally the brown tips could be from under watering so it’s good to check that the soil feels moist but not soggy.

OUR TOP 3 CARE TIPS 

Top tip 1: Keep Margot away from any drafts, radiators or open windows. 

Top tip 2: Take a look at our ultimate Calathea care blog for more care information. 

Top tip 3: Always water the red Maranta with filtered or rain water to avoid any crispy edges. 

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